SpongeBob SquarePants is rich with laughs, jokes, and, of course, running gags. Fans are certainly familiar with Mr. Krabs's penny-pinching mannerisms and how angry he gets if anyone even comes close to messing with his cash—he certainly didn't take it well when his mattress full of money ended up at the dump.
SpongeBob can't pass his driver's test to save his life, but his cheery attitude provides him the motivation he needs to keep at it. These running gags are well-known among fans and are certainly among the funniest considering the storylines that come from them. Even better, these running gags are oftentimes the source of the show's funniest moments.
SpongeBob Never Passing His Driving Test
SpongeBob is definitely the worst driver in Bikini Bottom. He never succeeds in passing his test and getting the driver's license that he dreams of, but he never gives up, and he annoys Mrs. Puff to no end in the process. Mrs. Puff even passed him just to get rid of him once, only to regret it and steal his boatmobile, leading to a crash. Poor SpongeBob couldn't even pass his test with Patrick giving him all the answers.
Of course, if SpongeBob ever did get his license on a permanent basis, it would eliminate some uproarious storylines like Mrs. Puff ending up in prison for something SpongeBob did, and the show just wouldn't be the same.
My Leg!
Whenever a disaster, explosion, or something of the like happens in Bikini Bottom, audiences can certainly expect to hear a cry of "my leg!" It's so commonplace that it would be strange not to hear it as the characters of Bikini Bottom experience imminent peril or destruction.
Fred the fish is usually the one to cry out the famous line, but other characters have been known to join in, especially if the destruction is widespread. It's pretty funny that it's always a leg that's hurt and never anything else like a fin or an arm.
The "Wah-Wah-Waaah" Of Jellyfishing
SpongeBob met his idol in Kevin, but, unfortunately, Kevin wasn't willing to give SpongeBob a real chance to be a Jellyspotter. Kevin decides to put SpongeBob through a series of tests after SpongeBob declares he'd do anything for Kevin, and those tests backfire on Kevin, leading to him being stung by a jellyfish. One of the anchovies utters "wah-wah-waaah" each time Kevin is stung.
It's hilarious because it's karma in full swing, with Kevin's tests backfiring on him and with SpongeBob eventually becoming a Jellyspotter after all.
Squidward Thinking He's Hilarious
Squidward has been known to talk to himself now and again, especially when he's commenting on SpongeBob and Patrick's behavior. He laughs to himself when he calls SpongeBob and Patrick names or when he's telling his own joke about the pirate movie being rated "R."
Squidward may be the only one laughing—aside from the audience—at his own jokes, but at least he knows how to entertain himself.
Plankton's Attempts To Steal The Krabby Patty Formula
Plankton is frequently foiled in his pursuit of the Krabby Patty secret formula. It's oftentimes hilarious, as Plankton's own plan backfires on him. His robot recreation of Mr. Krabs was certainly not a success, and his attempt to get SpongeBob to make him a Krabby Patty was one of his saddest moments considering that, even after SpongeBob had lost his "brain privileges," Plankton still couldn't get the formula out of him.
His determination to never give up is admirable, and it's definitely a memorable running gag considering all the ways in which Plankton has tried to snatch the formula over the years. Even Mr. Krabs enjoys watching Plankton try.
Mr. Krabs And His Love For Money
Mr. Krabs loves money more than anything else. He completely breaks down when he loses his first dime and believes Squidward has stolen it, which leads to Squidward's unemployment. Mr. Krabs begs SpongeBob to fire Pearl on his behalf when her modifications on the Krusty Krab cost him more money than he earns, and he even sold SpongeBob's soul to the Flying Dutchman for sixty-two cents in dire contrast to some of the pair's best moments.
He has his first dollar framed, too. In various episodes, Mr. Krabs's love of money is emphasized, and audiences are well aware of what happens if his finances are threatened in any way. Mr. Krabs being a cheapskate is one of the beloved and most familiar things about his character, and it never fails to be hilarious.
The French Narrator
One of the most familiar aspects of SpongeBob SquarePants is the French narrator. He will occasionally introduce an episode, and, even more significantly, produce time cards to quickly circumvent a major time gap in an episode. It's hilarious and a familiar gag to fans of the show. It moves the show's pace along, but it's also an integral aspect of the show considering the French narrator is a treasured character.
Sandy's Texas Upbringing
Sandy is from Texas, and she's proud of it. She happily tells her underwater sea critter friends about life on the surface and what it's like in Texas. Sandy also has plenty of sayings that are hilarious, and she's proven multiple times just how "Texas Tough" she really is.
She did meet her match against the Alaskan Bull Worm, but she definitely beat up Patrick and SpongeBob while in hibernation. Audiences certainly remember the episode where Sandy was homesick for Texas, and Patrick and SpongeBob made the nearly fatal mistake of making fun of Texas. In any case, Sandy's references to Texas are a beloved running gag.
Whenever Patrick's Genius Is Showing
Patrick is usually dim-witted, and he's a constant source of hilarious SpongeBob memes. He got offended when people kept calling the Krusty Krab and asked if that was the number they had reached instead of Patrick himself. He regularly goofs off with SpongeBob and has an inside joke with his best friend regarding how funny the numbers 24 and 25 are. However, as SpongeBob would say, Patrick does have his moments when his "genius" is showing.
For example, the time Patrick declared that the "inner machinations" of his mind were an "enigma." Patrick knows some big words and a fancy way to put things into perspective every so often, and it never ceases to be absolutely hilarious.
Patrick & SpongeBob Constantly Annoying Squidward
Squidward is usually exasperated by SpongeBob and Patrick's shenanigans. He can't stand their games, their laughter, or even them. Still, somehow, Squidward finds himself involved, especially when his plans to ruin their day backfires on him. Take, for instance, the somewhat sad time Squidward created "Opposite Day" in an attempt to sell his house without them being around to mess anything up, driving the real estate agent away in the process.
Audiences certainly remember when Squidward wrecked SpongeBob's and Patrick's friendship and then tried to patch it up to spare himself the grief of being their new best friend. Squidward never does learn, and it's pretty funny to watch him get irritated and subsequently have his own plans to mess with them backfire.